26 April 2026 – Blackbear Lodge, Brisbane – words and pictures by Maxine Thomas
Hitting up their hometown for night two of the Brisbane leg of the Attitude Adjustment tour, Headwreck ended a successfully sold out tour with a bang. Having sold out nearly every city in a mere hour after tickets were on sale, things were finally hitting these four rockers on just how successful this band has become. Joining the nu-metal group on the Aussie East Coast tour were fellow Brisbane emo-rap band Rivilin and Sydney metalcore five-piece Irken Armada.
Rivilin started the night off on a more laid back but still nu-metal heavy note. Having been releasing music since 2019, you would’ve thought the crowd response to this four piece would’ve been bigger. But the lack of moshing didn’t stop lead singer Connor Woodland and guitarist Boyd Harrod from dancing about the tiny stage being their own hype men. Taking an interesting approach to the setlist, (Connor) Woodland and co opened with a collaboration they’d partaken in with s0cliché for Pro Skater. Most bands, especially when opening would be drawn to a more well known song of their own so it was an interesting choice. The remainder of the setlist was a broad spectrum of their entire 8 year discography, including closing song ‘Bad News’ from their upcoming album Could You Watch My Soul Burn being released in November this year. With the album on the way to being released with only two singles out so far, hopefully we will get to see a lot more of Rivilin in the coming months.
Rivilin – Blackbear Lodge – photos by Maxine Thomas
For those concertgoers unknown to the name of Irken Armada, they were about to be in for the ride of their lives. Lead vocalist Blake Burby made it his aim to bring as much chaos to the metalcore set he could, putting on probably one of the most memorable performances from an opener this year so far. Burby got the crowd split in half and moshing not long after getting on stage, waking up any sleepy heads, ensuring they weren’t regretting their late Sunday night ventures. Burby also encouraged newbie moshers to get involved with a ‘no-judgement’ circle pit. “This is a safe place.” But the party didn’t stop there and in no way was the Black Bear Lodge stage big enough for this metal group. Wanting to become one with the stage and a little closer to his fellow band members and the fans, Burby wrapped his microphone around a stage box and used it as a tool to weigh him down and sing his heart out, giving fans a closer engagement.
Irken Armada – Blackbear Lodge – photos by Maxine Thomas
However, if you had your hands or bodies anywhere on that front platform when Blake Burby slammed that box down, let’s just say there’s a reason barricades exist. Burby followed his little front row antics and stumbled off side stage to situate himself in the hallway door of the venue to continue singing. Little did anyone know, Burby was just trying to tie everything and everyone on stage in one massive knot as he got guitarist Mackenzie (Maka) Begg caught up in his mic wire after he made his way back on stage. This put the other band members into hysterics, laughing at their frontman causing chaos. Irken Armada also just released their newest single ‘Nail Of The Coffin’ and ensured to add this to their setlist and give fans a taste of what else is to come for these Sydney metalheads.
Headwreck – Blackbear Lodge – photos by Maxine Thomas
Attitudes were most definitely adjusted at Black Bear Lodge on Sunday night. With back to back sold out shows in Brisbane to close out the East Coast tour, Headwreck were here to give Brisbane what they loved. Of course this wasn’t going to be just any ordinary Headwreck show. Being their first proper headline tour in Australia, the four piece had to spice things up with the odd surprise or two. Not only did this Brissy alt-metal group tease their upcoming single ‘Raindrops’; releasing sooner than you think, hit song ‘Plan Z’ became a talent show. Frontman Connor Hickman and guitarist James (Jamo) Benadie stepped aside to welcome two fans on stage to take over vocals as picked by drummer and Headwreck’s Got Talent host, Colby Horton.
Headwreck – Blackbear Lodge – photos by Maxine Thomas
Yet the fun still didn’t stop there and continued into the encore. Instead of the usual walk off and play another song, Headwreck became Wreckhead. With bassist Dayne Paix taking the front seat on vocals, Hickman taking over guitar, Horton on bass and Benadie on drums, the new and improved Headwre… I mean Wreckhead were here to close out the night playing ‘As Is’. From Hickman hyping up the crowd for mosh pits, to merch guy Christian replacing Benadie for a song and toilet paper pranks by the opening bands during ‘Buzzsaw’, Brisbane night 2 turned out to be a successful evening all around. With only 10 days to rest and reflect on the past tour before jetting off to England, the Attitude Adjustment tour really started to hit home with the guys on just how much growth they’ve had over the years and most recently in such a short span of time. Jamo Benadie mentioned how playing the single show in Sydney on April 18th at The Underground really made it sink in. Being able to hold 600 capacity unlike Black Bear Lodge’s 220 and also being sold out, Sydney definitely feels like the perfect “wtf” career moment.
Headwreck – Blackbear Lodge – photos by Maxine Thomas
With Rivilin bringing the emo-rap genre alive, Irkin Armada coming in hot with the chaos and
Headwreck bringing the literal fun into concerts whilst they still can, the sold out Attitude
Adjustment tour is one for Wreckers to remember. With new music on the rise with Raindrops
possibly coming out in May this year, only time will tell what this new epic chapter will hold for the
up-and-coming electronicore four-piece.
